[March 29, 2014]CHICAGO — On Wednesday, Attorney
General Lisa Madigan called on the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services to overturn the recent approval of Zohydro ER.

A pure hydrocodone pill, Zohydro is five to 10 times more potent
than currently available products like Vicodin or Lortab. It has
been reported that Zohydro can be prescribed in pills ranging from
10 milligrams to as high as 50 milligrams, while currently available
hydrocodone products range from only 5 to 10 milligrams. Zohydro ER
will also not contain any abuse-deterrent properties, thus allowing
addicts to more easily crush, snort and inject the powerful drug.

The painkiller's high potential for abuse prompted Madigan and
attorneys general from Indiana, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Maine
to ask HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to reverse the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration's approval of the drug, which is set to hit the
market this month.

"The prescription drug abuse problem in our country has reached
epidemic levels," Madigan said. "The FDA's decision to approve this
form of Zohydro, if left to stand, could have disastrous — and
potentially deadly — consequences."

The FDA approved Zohydro last October despite its own
advisory committee voting 11-2 in opposition to the drug being
released. In November, Madigan joined 28 other state attorneys
general in asking the FDA to reconsider its approval of the
drug.